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Doors drummer, John Densmore, says he learned a few things from Jay Z

The Doors' John Densmore admits he used to be "a curmudgeon" when it came to hip-hop. The drummer tells HuffPost Live he didn't understand it, and was upset when Jay Z sampled The Doors' "Five To One" on his 2001 album "The Blueprint."

He adds his ranting against rap caught the rapper's attention and Jay Z personally schooled him on the genre. Densmore says Jay sent him a letter highlighting their common ground, explaining that hip-hop stars are "fighting the authority just like you guys did back then." John says Jay Z also gave him a Def Jam t-shirt -- which he kept.

Densmore has continued to follow the rapper over the past 12 years. He says for his book "The Doors: Unhinged" he wanted to use lines from Jay Z's book "Decoded" about money not necessarily leading to happiness.

John says in seeking permission he sent Jay Z a picture of him wearing the Def Jam shirt along with a letter asking for "some of these words." Jay Z agreed.